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Dear MVLS Volunteer Attorney,?On September 22, 2015, MVLS,?Civil Justice and Maryland Legal Aid will present our FREE 2015 Foreclosure Training -?Emerging Trends?in Foreclosure Law and Policy in Maryland at University of Baltimore School of Law.This half-day training will focus on a variety of topics including how to represent foreclosure clients who are divorcing or trying to save a property after death, how to navigate post-sale issues (including filing exceptions, negotiating cash-for-keys agreements and dealing with illegal evictions), and foreclosure litigation strategies at the trial court level.? Panelists will include Maryland-based and national experts on foreclosure law and policy, including Alys Cohen, attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.The training is free but attendees will be asked to accept a pro bono foreclosure case or provide brief advice?at foreclosure workshops through MVLS. Breakfast and refreshments will be provided. ?Please register here to attend:?2015 Foreclosure Training - Emerging TrendsAlso, please save the date for our annual Celebrate Pro Bono Event:Available Cases:15-0111578--Foreclosure--Baltimore CityURGENT--Mediation Scheduled for September 15, 2015 at 12:30pm in Hunt Valley.Client bought her home with her husband in 1988. When her husband passed away in 2010, she was still able to pay the mortgage on her own, but started living paycheck to paycheck. Then, in early 2014 she lost her job. She was able to find a new part-time job, but it didn't pay enough to keep up and so she fell behind on her mortgage in October 2014. The balance on her mortgage is approximately $20,000. She would like to keep the home. The servicer, Bogman, filed an Order to Docket on May 20, 2015. Client requested mediation and it is scheduled to take place on September 15, 2015 at 12:30 pm at the Office of Administrative Hearings in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The client needs an attorney to explain her choices, guide her on the best option, and attend mediation with her.15-0111615--Foreclosure--Charles CountyClient fell behind on his mortgage in 2013 when he began working less hours in order to care for his brother, who is recovering from a massive stroke, and his nephew, who has autism. Client's 17 year old son and the son's girlfriend also live in the home. Client currently owes about $228,000 on a home with an assessed value of $219,000. Client was previously granted a modification by SunTrust and was making payments. After making consistent payments, SunTrust cancelled the modification, stating that the client failed to sign the final modification paperwork. However, the client never received the final paperwork to sign. An OTD was filed in January 2015; mediation was held in May but no written agreement was reached. His goal is to keep the home, especially in light of his brother's health condition, and would like to be reconsidered for a modification.15-0112038--Foreclosure--Baltimore CountyClient and her husband have separated, and the couple's minor children reside with client. Client left the family home because of domestic violence, and she is seeking a divorce with the help of MVLS. The husband failed to keep paying the mortgage on the home, and in December of 2014, Ocwen filed a foreclosure case. Husband negotiated with Ocwen to get a modification but did not include client in the negotiations. Ocwen agreed to a modification, and dismissed the foreclosure case. However, Ocwen later discovered that husband forged client's signature on the modification documents, and now plans on re-filing a foreclosure case. Client needs legal counsel to discuss her rights in this context, and make sure that she gets the best possible outcome for herself and her children.15-0111832--Foreclosure--Baltimore CountyClients' owe $240,000 on their first mortgage, and also have a home equity line of credit with a balance of $50,000. Their mortgage is held by a private individual. This individual wants to foreclose on the home and started rejecting their payments in April 2015 because the balloon note on the mortgage was due in December 2014. They asked for a refinance of the amount due on the balloon note but were denied. They have not received a Notice of Intent to Foreclose, and no foreclosure case has been filed at this time. Clients are self employed, making approximately $36,000 per year, and would like to understand their options for loss mitigation from a private individual lender. They also would like some legal advice on whether bankruptcy may be a viable option for them.15-0109910--Tax Sale--Baltimore CityClient works, but the job doesn't pay enough to pay for basic necessities in addition to paying his high property taxes. His unpaid property taxes for 2014-2015 totaled approximately $3000 at the time of the 2015 tax sale, but the minimum bid amount was approximately $16,000. It is unclear what other bills or citations were added to the unpaid property taxes to get to that amount. The home was sold at the 2015 tax sale in May. The client also has large IRS & State of Maryland tax liens attached to the property. He needs help determining what other bills were included in his tax sale amount, how much he owes the purchaser, and a plan to try and redeem the property.15-0111744--Tax Sale--Baltimore CityClient is disabled and has mobility issues; her only income is $537 a month in Social Security benefits. She inherited her home from her mother, but an estate has not yet been opened in order to transfer the deed. Because the deed is not in the client's name, she is not eligible to receive the Homeowner's property tax credit and was not able to pay the taxes from 2014-2015. The property went to tax sale in May 2015, and the client would like assistance in redeeming the property, and transferring the deed to her name.15-0112012--Tax Sale--Baltimore CityClient lives in a home owned by him and his two siblings. He and his brother split the cost of property taxes in years past, but his brother recently passed away and client was unable to pay the entire tax amount on his own. He also believes there is a water leak in the house, because his water bill has been consistently too high for the past year and a half. The property was sold at tax sale for approximately $2900 in unpaid taxes and delinquent water bills. Client does not receive the Homestead or Homeowner's tax credit, but is working on applying for the next year's credits. Client is determined to redeem the property by the end of September, but needs help navigating the redemption process, and addressing the water bill issue by requesting a meter check and/or an informal conference with the Department of Public Works.If you're interested in taking a case, contact Ellyn Riedl at?eriedl@.?Consumer Protection Clinic - September 8, 15, 22, 29 from 9am-12pm: ?MVLS is looking for volunteers to staff our Consumer Protection Project clinic at the Baltimore City District Court. Volunteers provide consumers with brief advice on how to defend against a variety of consumer debt cases, including credit cards, debt buyers, bail bonds, auto loans, and landlord/tenant.??Attorneys meet with defendants one-on-one for a 10-15 minute consultation, discuss possible defenses and/or settlement options, and help litigants file a Notice of Intention to Defend if appropriate.?MVLS staff will be present to provide support to volunteers. ?This is a great opportunity to provide much needed services to the community, and it doesn't require a further time commitment outside of the clinic date! ??This is an ongoing project. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact?Ellyn Riedl at?eriedl@.???Foreclosure/Consumer News:1. Department of Education Releases Guidance on Undue Hardship Standard in Bankruptcy: "If the costs to pursue the matter in bankruptcy court are estimated to exceed one-third of the total amount owed on the loan (including the current principal balance, any unpaid accrued interest, and current, unpaid accrued collection costs), the holder may accept and/or not oppose an undue hardship claim by the borrower in an adversary proceeding."2.?Frosh Urges Department of Education to Cancel Student Loans For Students Harmed by For-Profit Schools: "Attorney General Brian E. Frosh on Tuesday joined 10 other state attorneys general in urging the federal Department of Education to cancel student loans when for-profit schools have broken state law, and to provide a clear process for students seeking critical debt relief."?3. Class Action Certified Against Debt Collector LVNV Funding: "Approximately 3,500 debtors are part of the class suing LVNV Funding LLC, according to plaintiffs' attorney Phillip Robinson..."Upcoming Training Opportunities?1. September 17: Working with Pro Se Adverse Parties - FREEWith the vast majority of litigants in family law matters proceeding as self-represented, it is inevitable that you will find yourself in the position of having to deal directly with an opposing party.? This training will discuss methods for addressing some of the challenges presented by having no opposing counsel, and steering clear of any ethical violations. Presenter:? Sally Gold, Law Offices of Sally B. Gold. ?When: September 17 from 12 - 2pmWhere:?MVLS Office, 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 1400, BaltimoreQuestions: Susan Francis, sfrancis@Register2. September 22: 2015 Foreclosure Training - Emerging Trends?- FREETraining will focus on a variety of topics including how to represent foreclosure clients who are divorcing or trying to save a property after a death, a discussion with Maryland Circuit Court judges?who handle foreclosure cases, and how to navigate post-sale issues, including filing exceptions, negotiating cash-for-keys agreements and dealing with illegal evictions.? Co-sponsored by MVLS, Civil Justice and Legal Aid of Maryland.? Training is free but attendees will be asked to accept a pro bono foreclosure case or provide brief advice?at foreclosure workshops through MVLS.When: Tuesday, September 22nd from 8:30am - 1pmWhere:?University of Baltimore School of LawQuestions: Lonni Summers, lsummers@ or Avy Mallik amallik@?Register?3. September 25: Tax Controversy Training - FREEFree training session on handling IRS and Maryland tax controversy cases for low-income taxpayers.? While the training will cover handling tax cases generally, the focus of this session will be on the mechanics of advocating for the taxpayer who is battling with tax collection issues.? Continental breakfast will be served. There is no fee to attend?but each participant will be asked to accept one tax controversy case over the next year.? Presenters: Gerald Kelly and Cheri Wendt-Taczak; IRS Local Taxpayer Advocate, James Leith; and Assistant Manager-Hearings and Appeals, Comptroller of Maryland, Jay Maschas.When: September 25th from 9am - 1pmWhere: MVLS Office, 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 1400, BaltimoreQuestions: Cheri Wendt-Taczak, cheri@Register??4. SAVE THE DATE November 6th: Homeowners Association Issues Training for Attorneys - FREELiens, small claimsMD Condo Lien ActHoA FeesStay tuned for details and registration information.5. November 17: Estate Planning and Estate Administration - FREETwo Trainings. Attorneys may attend one or both trainings.? Each training incurs the pro bono responsibility.??Estate Planning topics will include incapacity planning, after death planning and avoiding probate and will focus on all the major estate planning tools - advance medical directives, financial powers of attorney, wills, and property ownership structures.? ?Estate Administration will focus on how and when to open small or regular estates, judicial versus administrative probate, addressing estates with and without wills, and transferring property from an estate.? Both trainings are designed as basic nuts and bolts sessions.? Trainings are free, but attorneys will be expected to accept one pro bono case in the next year from MVLS.? Presenters - Olivia R. Holcombe Volke, Elville & Associates (estate planning ) and K. Alice Young, Nusinov Smith (estate administration).When: November 17 from 9am - 12pm (Planning) and 12:30pm - 4:30pm (Administration)Where:?University?of Baltimore Law School?Questions: Susan Francis, sfrancis@Register?Sincerely,Lonni Kyhos SummersManaging AttorneyForeclosure Prevention and Consumer LawMaryland Volunteer Lawyers ServiceP:??443-451-4064?| F:?443-459-9037lsummers@?Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service | 201 N. Charles Street | Suite 1400 | Baltimore | MD | 21201 ................
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